Contract Manager

Title : Mgr, Clinical Contracts & Finance - IIILocations: Foster City, CA/Santa Monica, CA/Morris Plains,NJContract roleDescription:Candidate can be based in either FC or NJ or Santa Monica locationsClient is a research-based biopharmaceutical company founded in 1987. Together we deliver life-saving therapies to patients in need. With the commitment and drive you bring to the workplace every day, you will be part of a team that is changing the world and helping millions of people live healthier, more fulfilling lives. Our worldwide staff is a close community where you can see the tangible results of your contributions, where every individual matters, and everyone has a chance to enhance their skills through ongoing development. As part of our rapidly growing science-driven organization, colleagues at Client are revolutionizing healthcare by bringing urgently needed medicines to patients in the areas of Virology, Inflammation and Oncology conditions. We are proud to have some of the most talented colleagues from across the research, healthcare, pharmaceutical, biotechnology & business sectors, working together and supporting each other to help make a real difference to the lives of patients.Client is currently seeking an industry leader for Sr. Manager, R&D Outsourcing within our Development Business Operations department. The Sr. Manager will have the opportunity to provide category management, sourcing and contracting expertise in clinical outsourcing of global Phase 1b-Phase 3 clinical trials. The Sr. Manager will lead the entire life cycle including vendor selection, RFI, RFP, vendor selection decision, contracting, monitoring performance, change orders and ensuring proper closeout of clinical agreements, with a focus on Clinical Research Organizations (CRO). The position will have the opportunity to work in a matrix environment and regularly collaborate with Senior Management and cross functional teams.The core responsibilities and skills required for this position include but is not limited to:Delivery ExcellenceDevelops global clinical development vendor strategy for a program or therapeutic area with a focus on Cell TherapyManages contract and sourcing activities for Phase 1b-3 clinical development programs providing consistent customer service and delivering quantitative value through cost savings and transformation/innovationDevelops and implements sourcing strategies to support given scopeManages the contract negotiation process across the entire life cycle including RFI, vendor identification, RFP, vendor selection decision, contracting negotiation, performance monitoring, change orders, and ensures proper closeout of agreements to maximize contract value and achieve target savingsEnsure the vendor selection process is compliant by managing risks through benchmarking, rate negotiations, implementing the sourcing strategy, collaborating with cross functional teams such as Compliance, Legal and RegulatoryCollaborates with internal customers in vendor bidding and proposal development (RFP creation and analysis)Partners with internal customers to develop study specifications and leverages benchmarking tools as appropriateTranslates business requirements into vendor capabilities and develops recommendations for vendor selection for a program or therapeutic areaIs an SME in resolving complex issues relating to contract negotiation and managementOversees the identification, selection and management of global external service providersLeads Vendor bid defense meetingsManages the contract negotiation process for complex or high value contractsDemonstrates strong understanding of regulatory and legal issues pertinent to clinical developmentStrategic ThinkingAbility to understand, analyze and develop recommendations from multiple complex sources such as financial and operational perspectivesInfluence vendor selection with stakeholders at the project team levelInnovationIdentifies, develops, and deploys best practices in vendor selection, cost containment, and category management practicesLeverages prior experience with external benchmarking, industry best practices, and technology for continuous improvementProblem SolvingTakes ownership of issues from problem identification to successful resolution, testing recommendations for reasonablenessTriages study-level vendor management issues; escalates high-risk issues to appropriate stakeholdersTranslates trends in operational and systematic issues and develops solutions with sustainability in mind to ensure roadblocks are removed during study start-upInfluence and PartnershipEngage with clinical operations leadership to drive sourcing strategy, compliance, and continued partnershipExhibits competency in regularly establishing relationships with internal and external cross functional teams, such as clinical operations, legal, finance, compliancePartners with internal stakeholders working on contracts in resolving complex issues relating to contract negotiation or managementManages study level vendor relationships in conjunction with Clinical OperationsDecision MakingDelivers value by developing business solutions by translating requirements into effective sourcing solutions, contractual terms and process improvementsDemonstrated ability to make critical decisions related to clinical vendor agreement negotiations and escalationsPulls data across functions according to business requirements and recommends global development vendors to senior leadership for endorsement for a projectAsks probing questions to uncover business needs and recommends solutions (e.g., negotiating timelines while maintaining standards)Resolves vendor project management issues (e.g., operational challenges including scoping issues) by identifying and addressing deviations from established protocolsIdentifies operational and systematic issues, including frequency and escalates to the appropriate levelCommunicationExcellent communication skills and comfort level interacting with internal and external teams across all levels, including regular interface with stakeholders and leadership team membersAs necessary, trains internal stakeholders in contract budgeting, development, and administrationCapabilities and RequirementsExperience in providing thought leadership and consistent customer serviceExpertise in the end-to-end sourcing and contracting process, including RFx, contract negotiation and managementDemonstrates an in-depth knowledge of the clinical research process and the regulatory environment across functionsDemonstrated leadership skills while working in fast paced and changing environmentFinancial acumen to review, analyze and understand cost drivers of complex budgetsLegal, clinical operations and regulatory acumenTravel may be requiredKnowledge, Experience and Skills:Relevant experience with a BA or MS in a relevant disciplineMBA or JD preferredPMP/CPSM certification or equivalent a plus